Drainage-valve for gas-meters.



J. PIGEON.

DRAINAGE VALVE FOR GAS METERS.

APPLICATION FILED APR.25.19I3.

Patented Apr. 25, 1916.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH $10., WASHINGTON D. C.

JOSEPH PIGEON, OF GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN.

DRAINAGE-VALVE non GAS-METERS.

medias.

Application filed April 25, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPH Prenov, a citizen of the United States, residing at Green Bay, county of Brown, and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Drainage-Valves for Gas Meters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in drainage valves for gas meters.

I-Ieretofore it has been the practice, when water accumulates in the gas meter, to remove the same, drill a hole through one of its walls, drain it and then plug the hole with solder or cover it with a strip of metal 1vlvelded to the wall of the meter around the ole.

The object of my inventionis to provide means whereby the meters may be drained by merely opening a valved passage for the escape of the water and then securely locked to prevent withdrawals of gas 'or the accidental escape of gas, the lock being sealed so that if tampered with, the fact may be known to the ofiicials of the gas company.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of a gas meter of ordinary type equipped with a drainage plug embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view, in section, of the meter wall, showing my improved drainage plug drawn to a plane cutting the discharge duct. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view drawn to a plane common to aperture J and seal L.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

The wall A of the meter near its bottom is perforated, and a drainage plug B inserted therein from the interior, said plug having a flange C thereon which may be secured to theinner surface of the wall by lead or solder D. A drainage duct E extends longitudinally through the plug B, preferably at one side of its center. The exteriorly projecting portion of the plug is screw threaded and provided with a cap Gr and packing H within the cap, and is adapted to cover the opening E, thereby serving as a valve. A needle valve I may also be employed, if desired, the same being held to its seat by any suitable means, preferably by the packing H. The plug and cap B and G Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, I916.

Serial No. 763,493.

are also transversely drilled to provide a hole J for the reception of a locking wire K, said wire K extending through the hole J and having its ends bent outwardly at one side of the plug and cap and embedded in a soft metal seal L, preferably formed of sheet lead which can be folded about the wire and pressed forcibly upon it until the lead is securely held in such position by adhesion of its parts.

The sealing member L may be impressed with any suitable design by means of the same tool which is employed to clamp it in sealing position upon the wire K. If any attempt is made to tamper with the seal, the fact will therefore be made known to the ofiicials of the company upon inspection.

With the above described construction, the cap G cannot be removed without first removing the seal L and then removing the wire K. After the cap is removed, the needle valve I may also be removed if such needle valve is employed. If not employed, the removal of the cap will permit the meter to drain. Otherwise the needle valve I must also be removed before drainage is permitted.

I claim- 1. A drainage plug for gas meters provided with a longitudinal discharge duct, in combination with a valve member fitted to said duct, a cap covering the outer end of said plug and wholly concealing the valve member, and a locking member extending through the plug and cap at one side of the duct and adapted to normally prevent access to or operation of the valve.

2. A drainage plug for gas meters provided with a valved aperture, in combination with a locking cap covering the discharge end of said plug, and a sealing device adapted to retain said cap in position, said sealing device comprising a piece of wire extending through the plug and cap, and a metallic seal embracing the ends of said wire together with a valve seated in the discharge end of said plug and wholly covered by said cap.

8. A branch valve for gas meters, comprising the combination with a casing wall, of a drainage plug extending through the lower portion of the casing wall and provided with a longitudinal discharge duct, a

cap closing the outer end of said duct, a inner end of the plug sealed to the casing Wire extending transversely through the Wall around the plug receiving aperture. 10 plug and cap at one side of the duct and hav- In testimony whereof I affix my signature ing its ends bent laterally from the plug, a in the presence of two witnesses.

Valve normally closing the duct and Wholly 4 JOSEPH PIGEON. concealed by said cap, a metallic seal in Witnesses:

Which the ends of said Wire are embedded, E. M. MILLER,

and an outwardly projecting flange at the P. GRISTINAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

7 Washington, D. G. 

